Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season perennial, C3 pathway
Grass Family
Poaceae, Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Pasture, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF), likely a blend (e.g., 'Falcon' or 'Rebel' series)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; excellent heat tolerance for a cool-season grass; remains green for much of the winter in transition zones.
About This Grass
A coarse to medium-textured grass with a deep green color. Forms dense bunches that can appear as 'clumps' in thin lawns. When unmowed, it reaches 2-4 feet with panicle seed heads.
Blade Characteristics
Blade width 3-6mm; flat shape with a pointed tip; prominent veins on the upper surface and a dull underside; rolled vernation; short membranous ligule; auricles are typically absent or very small/blunt.
Root System
Extremely deep fibrous root system (up to 3-6 feet deep), providing excellent drought resistance; slow to form thatch; slow to recover from wear compared to rhizomatous grasses.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and North Africa; naturalized throughout North America, especially the Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clump-forming); occasionally produces very short rhizomes but lacks aggressive spreading.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Prefers full sun but has moderate shade tolerance; requires deep, infrequent watering; adaptable to various soil pH (5.5-7.5).
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 3.0-4.0 inches; frequency weekly during peak growth; 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually; high maintenance due to regular overseeding requirements.
Special Characteristics
High drought tolerance due to rooting depth; good wear tolerance; susceptible to Brown Patch disease in high humidity; limited recovery from bare spots without reseeding.
Ecological Information
Introduced species; provides forage for livestock and cover for small mammals; excellent for soil stabilization on slopes; can be invasive in native prairie ecosystems.